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Zimbabwe rights activist Mukoko released on bail

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Zimbabwean human rights activist Jestina Mukoko was released on bail Monday after three months of detention on the authorization of President Robert Mugabe. Mukoko, director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP), had been held without chargers since December and was allegedly subjected to torture during her incarceration. Mukoko has been hospitalized for the treatment of injuries sustained over the past three months and remains under medical care after her release from police custody. Mukoko's release may come as a response to a call by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who was installed last month after signing a power-sharing agreement with Mugabe. Mukoko, an outspoken critic of Mugabe, was apprehended from her home in December and held in an undisclosed location for months because of her alleged involvement in Mugabe's opposition. While in prison, it was reported that Mukoko was forced to ingest poison, an allegation that has sparked a world wide protest against Zimbabwean police methods. Mukoko was previously denied bail by Zimbabwean lower courts. Last month, a court ruled that Mukoko could appeal her detention to the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe under the Zimbabwe Constitution.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on March 03, 2009 (boomark / email).